Despair Winter Dragon! Behelet!

Dago reluctantly tossed the Great Ice Serpent dozens of High-Grade Magic Stones to help it recover a little. He told it to stay nearby and not wander off, then flew toward the valley.

When he arrived, he found Bernal beside the God-Prison Blood Tree, pouring the ordinary blood they had just collected from the Great Ice Serpent over it as nourishment.

"Let the God-Prison Blood Tree absorb some of the Great Ice Serpent's blood first. It'll help it refine blood of the same lineage later."

Bernal explained casually when he saw Dago approach.

Dago blinked. That hadn't occurred to him. Bernal clearly knew far more about the God-Prison Blood Tree than he did. It was Bernal's research project, after all.

"I plan to keep some of the blood for experiments."

Bernal paused, as though seeking Dago's permission.

Dago nodded, leaving it up to him. His attention was entirely on the Blood Tree. After absorbing so much of the Great Ice Serpent's blood, the God-Prison Blood Tree had grown considerably again. It now looked like a proper young tree.

Its leaves were like blood-red cicada wings, their black veins striking and delicate. Bathed in a red-green glow, the whole tree looked mysterious and magnificent.

After a moment's thought, Dago entered the Despair Blackened State again. He cut his wrist and added his own blood to the tree's nourishment.

The Blood Tree grew visibly. Only when it reached an unprecedented peak did Dago stop and take out the bloodline essence he had extracted from the Great Ice Serpent's brow.

The mass of blood, mingling icy blue and deep red, looked like an exquisite crystal sphere in his hand. Under the sunlight, strange energy glimmered within it.

"Had enough?"

Dago gently stroked the God-Prison Blood Tree's trunk. "If you're full, it's your turn